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A literary journalist and publicist since 2001, Dee Stewart’s writings have appeared in RT Book Reviews, Spirit Led Woman, Precious Times, Romantic Times Magazines and on The Master’s Artist Blog. Her work focuses on fiction, popular culture, media and their relationship to people who live according to a Christian worldview. She is the also owner of Christian Fiction Blog and DeeGospel PR. Moreover, she writes for Kensington Publishers under the pen name Miranda Parker. Her novel A Good Excuse to Be Bad releases July 2011. She lives in Atlanta, GA.

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Friday, February 11, 2005

"The market for hardback fiction is rich, married or widowed women over fifty (until you all start buying hardback books). The junior editors who choose new work are New York women in their twenties who are interested in what is chic in New York that week, and who have become experts in what the older women will buy in hardcover."- an excerpt from Annie Dillard's "Notes for Young Writers" Essay.

This morning after I wrote 2 pages for my novel, dropped Selah off at PreK, purchased groceries, and decided not to wash my clothes or do my morning walk(it's too cold outside I'll praise dance at 11:30) I came home sat at my computer and begin to review my must-read blogs. Last night I followed a link from faith*in*fiction, David Long, fiction acquisitions editor for Bethany House Publishers to The Master's Artist Blog. And there I read there discussion today, "The Audience"(You can click on the title above to read the discussion yourself.

But I included an excerpt of this discussion that interested me the most and I know should interest you, if you are an African American Christian Fiction author.

Upon reading this statement, I ask three questions and I would love to hear your comments. Please post comment on this blog.

Questions:

(1)If our audience aren't rich white married or widowed women, or young Paris Hilton wannabees, then will our writing have any value in the market?

(2) Although we know that God values what we do, how can we determine whether we are on the mark with the audience we do have(african american christian women)?

(3) If what Anne Dillard says is true, then why do we care about CBA guidelines?

(4) A bonus question- Who cares what Anne Dillard and New York Publishing World thinks? My book has a mass appeal and the highest calling?

My comment to the Master's Artist group:

I found this assessment accurate, but scary for me as I am southern african american writer. Although the past five years I have been a journalist for various AA Christian publications, this year I wanted to take some time out and write a well written faith novel. However, I have spoken with many AA christian fiction authors, two agents, a publisher, and two editors who tell me that black people do not want to read great prose, but "a whole lot of mess." So I don't know where I fit, because my soul want let me write like that. And to find out today that the decision makers more than likely will not relate to my african american point of view discourages me. But what you said at the end gave me hope. God wants me to write and so I must. Thanks for a great blog. I will go back to mine and present these issues.

1 comments:

(1)If our audience aren't rich white married or widowed women, or young Paris Hilton wannabees, then will our writing have any value in the market?

I read and respect Annie Dillard, but I beg to differ with that quote. If that were true, how did those three black books you reported get on the NYT list. They're all in hardback.

(2) Although we know that God values what we do, how can we determine whether we are on the mark with the audience we do have(african american christian women)?

You can't determine that. I write what I need, but isn't there. (Or at least, that's what I try to write, I'm not always given license to do so). Still, I try to write the same things I want on my shelf by an author of any color or genre--a good book.

(3) If what Anne Dillard says is true, then why do we care about CBA guidelines?

I don't care about CBA guidelines, to be honest. I did at one time, because I didn't want to offend anybody. I've since realized that some of us, myself included, need to be offended at times to realize what a mess we're in. That said, if readers ask for Wonder bread, that's what publishers give them. I think all this is changing though as we speak.

(4) A bonus question- Who cares what Anne Dillard and New York Publishing World thinks? My book has a mass appeal and the highest calling?

Perhaps this is best question of all. What does any of this have to do with your book? There is one question--Why do you write? For me, I have no other choice. It is who I am. :)